With Tank Dell expected to miss the entire 2025 season recovering from last year’s devastating knee injury, the Houston Texans responded by tripling down at the wide receiver position this offseason.
After trading the Jacksonville Jaguars for veteran slot receiver Christian Kirk, the Texans drafted a pair of former Iowa State teammates in Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.
With No. 1 wide out Nico Collins and 2022 second-rounder John Metchie III also still in the mix, the Texans should be fielding another dynamic assortment of weapons around star quarterback C.J. Stroud this season.
But did Houston overextend itself by taking on all of Kirk’s salary for 2025?
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport recently called Kirk’s $16.5 million price tag for the upcoming season the worst among all NFL wide receivers. Here was his take:
“The problem is the 28-year-old has just 1,166 yards in the past two seasons combined,” Davenport wrote. “And he has missed 14 games over the past two seasons, including nine a year ago after breaking his collarbone. That the Jaguars essentially gave the 2018 second-rounder to the Texans just to be rid of his contract tells you all you need to know about how the past couple of years have gone. And when Kirk hits free agency again next year, the market for his services is going to be far different than when he joined the Jaguars.”
For the record, Kirk’s camp agreed to a contract restructure with Houston to help facilitate the trade. So while Houston is paying the full salary in total cash, the salary cap implications are minimal.
Jacksonville was reportedly planning to cut Kirk, prompting Houston to swoop in, offer up a seventh-round draft pick, and assume his full salary to keep him from hitting free agency. That may seem a tad aggressive, as the Texans feasibly could have signed Kirk to a one-year contract for less money, but we’re likely talking about marginal savings here. The Jaguars signed Dyami Brown for $10 million this offseason. Tutu Atwell got $10 million from the Rams. Josh Palmer signed for $12 million. Kirk’s total salary in cash may be a tad high in comparison, but it’s far from outrageous for a former 1,000-yard receiver.
Kirk figures to be a factor in Houston’s offense this season as their rookies get up to speed. If he can give them what he gave Jacksonville during the 2023 season — 57 receptions, 787 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games — and provide an underneath safety blanket for Stroud, his contract will be worth the short-term investment.
MORE: Jaguars’ Jarrian Jones warned of losing CB2 battle to ex-Arkansas Razorbacks star: ‘He has the advantage’
